Dhuvaafaru (Dhivehi: ދުވާފަރު) is an inhabited island of Maldives located in the eastern edge of Raa Atoll.

Resettlement of the island started on 14 December 2008 to inhabit the displaced residents of Kandholhudhoo (Raa Atoll) who were the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.

[2] Though Dhuvaafaru was uninhabited until recent history, there is physical and literary proof of the island being inhabited over 200 years ago.

In the local Maldivian Dhivehi language, the island name of Dhuvaafaru is literally translated as "running reef".

A famous associate of the Maldivian national hero Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam hails from Dhuvaafaru.

The cemetery, well and coral stone structure found from this location were officially protected as a place of historical significance.

The top of this well was renovated by the islanders of Maakurathu with cement but the bottom of the well was built using limestone; the ancient building material.

It is believed that the previous residents of Dhuvaafaru, left the island due to soil erosion and its less proximity to fishing grounds.

[4] The lagoon was so small in size; the whole project was doomed from the start as it was impossible to provide any remedy for lack of land.

This was a political move to appease a large population center rather than a coherent step to address the real issues.

However, these views were hushed and met with contempt by the majority of the residents due to their ancestral and emotional attachment to the island.

An agreement was signed between Maldivian government and the joint venture companies of Amin Construction of Maldives and Singapore's Liang Beng to develop Dhuvaafaru on 13 February 2006.

[8] On 17 November 2005, the government revoked the contract of US$17.4 million awarded to the joint venture companies Arun Excello of India and Apollo Holdings of Maldives saying that the bidding documents were incomplete but the government failed to provide an explanation as to why the bid was accepted in the first place.

While the construction was ongoing IFRC provided Kandholhudhoo residents the opportunity of visiting Dhuvaafaru once a month and inspect the progress.

[9] IFRC representatives continued consultation with the displaced people in various islands of Raa Atoll with regards to Dhuvaafaru project.

Representatives of the American, Australian, British, Canadian, French, Japanese and New Zealand Red Cross societies and those of IFRC and the Maldivian government participated in the inaugural function.

[11] The allocation of houses was overseen by the Kandholhudhoo Island Office under the supervision of now defunct Atoll's Ministry.

IFRC held a lottery where the head of each household participated and picked the house that they will be residing in Dhuvaafaru.

Dhuvaafaru is the second largest island in Raa Atoll with 44 ha (110 acres) of land, having a lagoon almost twice the size of the landmass.

Towards the west and south side of the island soil erosion has caused loss of land and plants.

Houses and the power plant situated in this area are at risk due to soil erosion and storm surges.

The islanders with the help of Maldives National Defence Force have constructed to some extent, concrete barriers around the shore to prevent further erosion.

This small island of less than 300 feet is a landmass consisting of coral and stone and there is a wild growth of a tree called Kuredhi (ironwood).

[15] The decision to appoint him might have been taken in light of the islander's discontent with their original leadership but Dr. Ahmed Raazee also did not continue in this role for much longer due to various issues.

In 2014 Mr. Mohamed Ali was elected as the new Member of Parliament for Dhuvaafaru on a Progressive Party of Maldives ticket.

In addition to the houses IFRC funded the construction of community infrastructure such as an administrative building, a pre-school, primary school and secondary school, an auditorium, water supply and sewage systems, a sports complex, roads, mosque, and a power supply system.

In the island there are people working in many government jobs in places like schools, health center, police station and council office.

Others engage in different types of trade and craft to earn a living, while a high proportion of Dhuvaafaru population resides in Male’ for employment and education opportunities.

Larger vessels are used to travel to and from the Capital Male' and for faster transport residents use seaplane service from the only resort located in the atoll.

The Maldivian Democratic Party led government introduced a ferry system, whereby boats were available to travel between the islands on a cheaper fare.